"exceptions" possibly based on misconception; and EVAL strikes again

Subject: "exceptions" possibly based on misconception; and EVAL strikes again

From: Howard I. Cannon <HIC at MIT-MC>

Date: Fri, 05 Feb 1982 03:45:00 -0000

Cc: common-lisp at SU-AI, Guy.Steele at CMU-10A

If, however, we do accept (LAMBDA ...) as a valid form that self-evaluates
(or whatever), then I might propose changing lambda macros to be called
in normal functional position, or just go to the scheme of not
distinguishing between lambda and regular macros.
So how about it? Regardless of the lambda-macro question, or the style
of functional programming, let EVAL take
((MUMBLE ...) A1 ... A2) into `(,(macroexpand '(MUMBLE ...)) A1 ... A2)
Since, in my first note, I said "If, however, we do accept (LAMBDA ...) as a
valid form that...", and we aren't, I am strenuously against this suggestion.